"“Stay awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come." Mt 24:42
Today’s gospel has a very consoling verse for people like me and many older people. Matthew reminds us to stay awake, to be alert and to respond to others with kindness. Since I am an early to bed person, the thought of staying up very late is not something I would look forward to. Clearly the issue in this parable is not falling asleep; we all do that when we are tired. Rather, the Lord wants us to be prepared so that no one can "kill" us in spirit.
Rabbi David Kimchi, a late 12th century Jewish scholar, recorded this lovely story about the great sage, Rabbi Eliezer. "Turn to God one day before your death." Rabbi Eliezer said. But his disciples responded, "How can a man know the day of his death?" Eliezer answered them, "Therefore you should turn to God today, perhaps you may die tomorrow; thus every day will be employed in returning." Kimchi on Isaiah 65:13.
Though the challenge of always being prepared can seem daunting, even overwhelming, we should not be afraid. Though all of us will regularly fail at living a full gospel life, if we have prepared ourselves for the inevitable breakdowns in our commitment, God will be waiting to greet us when we wake up again.
Today, pray and be grateful each day for the gift of faith. Christ will do the rest.
Who do you most admire for always being alert without being crazed?
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